Today we’d like to introduce you to Katriesa Secada.
Hi Katriesa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I studied Fashion Merchandising and landed my first visual merchandising role in retail. I styled for retail and made my way to commercial sets for product photography. I learned photography production and wardrobe styling and how to make a life as a freelance stylist!
I opened my first boutique in 2001, called Olive which celebrated vintage inspired design in apparel, home and gifts. I designed a dress collection that mirrored dresses of the 1950’s and 60’s. I fell in love with the ladylike elements of that time period.
Fast forward to 2010, as a designer, I discovered that the wedding and bridal market is where my dresses sold best and I began Olive bridal and opened a new boutique called The Paisley Umbrella. The space housed 7-10 women owned bridal companies from wedding planning to cake design and invitations. We all worked well together promoting each other within the co-op.
I began teaching fashion styling and fashion merchandising as an adjunct professor to a few colleges while I ran the Paisley Umbrella and freelanced as a wardrobe stylist.
I fell in love in 2016 after a two year role as a single mom of 2. We met and married within 6 months and I made the move to Texas, where my new husband and 3 bonus kiddos awaited!
Here in small town Liberty, Texas, I opened Once Loved in 2018. It was a mix of new and vintage apparel and locally designed accessories. As a shop owner in a totally new landscape, I made friends, built relationships and became a community leader. In 2025, I closed the doors to Once Loved, opening a new re-branded concept 2/1/26 to Always Loved, where I’ve found my way back to wedding styling, bridal design and offering an event suite to host gatherings and celebrations.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a business owner, I know that a smooth road doesn’t produce a tough, quick thinker! I’ve had to re establish myself after my move from Atlanta GA as a successful bridal boutique owner to Liberty Texas, where I only knew my husband.
Moving to a new market in a different part of the country has taught me to create bonds and relationships personally and professionally. I really get to know my clients and their needs by now meeting by appointments rather than regular shoppe hours.
After a couple of hurricanes and a pandemic, relationships with people in your community matter most when it comes to support as a business owner!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist/creative by heart. I’ve designed dresses, wardrobes and set design over the past 2 decades. I enjoy helping develop and encourage artists and entrepreneurs. I help mentor and launch new products and brands for other creatives.
Recently, I’ve entered the professional world of law as a legal assistant and now serve my community thru this career.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I believe in helping the next generation of artists, makers and entrepreneurs create meaningful art and products thru thoughtful design.
We cannot be successful without helping others discover and become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paperbell.me/katriesa-secada
- Instagram: @alwaysloved_tx
- Facebook: @AlwaysLoved
Image Credits
Photo by me!
